Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis
Santa rosa island dudleya, Santa Rosa Island Dudleya
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Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis (Santa rosa island dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by small size and many short leaves diagnostic.
Santa rosa island dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern Channel Islands on Santa Rosa Island in coastal bluffs at elevations of 3 to 90 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to pale yellow flowers in compact clusters above small spherical rosettes. Growing with short stems 1 to 2 centimeters tall and 5 to 20 millimeters wide, it forms dense, low-growing clusters. Its succulent leaves are bluish-green, typically more than 15 per rosette, each 1 to 3.5 centimeters long and 2 to 7 millimeters wide, creating a distinctive compact and glaucous appearance. The plant forms tight, rounded rosettes rarely exceeding 4 centimeters in width, adapted to the harsh coastal environment of its island habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species, small size and many short leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs
Elevation: 3-90 m
California counties: Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Curio: Dudleya has thick succulent leaves in rosettes; Curio has thin, cylindrical or string-like leaves.; vs Echeveria: Dudleya flower stalks emerge from leaf axils; Echeveria flowers emerge from rosette center.; vs Sedum: Dudleya forms distinct basal rosettes; Sedum grows as spreading mats or upright stems without rosettes.; vs Aeonium: Dudleya has smooth leaf edges; Aeonium has tiny hairs along leaf margins.; vs Carpobrotus: Dudleya has rosettes under 30cm; Carpobrotus has sprawling succulent stems over 1m long.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis native to California?
Yes. Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis bloom?
Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis grow?
Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis occurs in Santa Barbara, at elevations of 3-90 m.
What plant family does Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis belong to?
Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis rare or endangered?
Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. insularis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.